V70: General D3 fuel consumption

[tommyweaves]

Clan, agree with your comments above. (And thank you for correcting me on the new D3 136ps, I must have misread the specs when I concluded it was a 4 pot not a 5 pot)

After 53k miles my conclusion on the V70 D3 163ps manual fuel consumption is:

1. Possible to get mid 50s mpg on a long journey if you're careful and doing about 60mph.

2. Realistically you can get 50 mpg on the motorway cruising at 70.

3. Local roads, but not too much in town stopping and starting (so journeys of 5-10 miles) you could see about 42.

4. Pottering about in cities will probably give you mid 30s mpg.

The above are all indicated mpg on the computer, in reality you can probably take 5% off those to give real life returns.

Incidentally I had a courtesy car today while mine was in for a service. It was a S40 Drive with the 1.6 diesel on a 12 plate with 12k miles on the clock. On a round trip of 400 miles doing 70-80 on the motorway it returned an indicated 59 mpg. Was pleasantly surprised how well it behaved at motorways speeds, reasonably responsive. Felt a bit basic at lower speeds, meaning it wasn't very smooth and a bit coarse, but that's a function of it being a lighter weight smaller car. It really highlights the significant comfort benefit the V70 has of greater overall mass and soundproofing.

However, I still wouldn't opt for a V70 Drive. Whilst the bigger and better build of the V70 would mask the seemingly more agricultural feeling of the 1.6D engine and gearbox I would feel it was underpowered and wouldn't give much better economy than a D3 163ps. But, knowing now that the new 136ps D3 is a 5 cylinder, if I was looking for maximum economy I think that would be an attractive option.

All the above is only my opinion! But I hope it's of use to someone.

[St Evelyn]

Originally Posted by Clan

It would be worth knowing what average speed was showing on both the above cases , it is far more informative as to why those figures are so good/bad ..
If you leave your displat on Instantaneous mpg that will show you when the car is doing well or bad .

My commute takes 1h30-1h40 most days and is 63 miles each way. I reckon that makes it an average of about 38-42mph. Not great, but lots of 30/40 zones going down through to Salisbury and 3 or 4 towns / cities to get through as well.

Interestingly, the my car summary today showed 64 going in to work and 53 coming home. Journey home was a 'mare though and took 2 hours+.

[Chris308]

Just checked the display.

Average MPH says 32

Average MPG says 39.2

The actual mpg figures I stated are based on actual mileage and fuel quantities at fill ups.


Mine is an automatic btw

[St Evelyn]

Forgot to mention, mine's a manual, so that will certainly account for some of the differential.

[tommyweaves]

Driving style has a lot to do with it and the D3 really highlights that. A heavy boot and braking late makes a real dent in my figures.

The thing I like about the D3 though is that the economy is available to you through driving style if you want it, but the oooomph is also there when you need it.

[tt82]

Seems a good compromise then the D3

[Ragnorak]

Gotta say some of these figures I am seeing on here have me concerned. I have a 2010 V70 D3 163ps. I have owned it for a week and its the geartronic... I am getting 37mpg tops with gentle driving with the climate control on auto. Is there an issue with these return figures or is this about right. My old ford mondeo diesel used to give 47mpg on the same journey and I was expecting the same from the volvo. I love the new car by the way but was hoping for much better economy...

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Ragnorak

Gotta say some of these figures I am seeing on here have me concerned. I have a 2010 V70 D3 163ps. I have owned it for a week and its the geartronic... I am getting 37mpg tops with gentle driving with the climate control on auto. Is there an issue with these return figures or is this about right. My old ford mondeo diesel used to give 47mpg on the same journey and I was expecting the same from the volvo. I love the new car by the way but was hoping for much better economy...

what is your average speed showing ? it really has to be 40 mph ish to get good consumption .. i would guess 25 mph on yours ?

[SouthOxon]

I get an indicated 43 mpg day-to-day; twelve mile commute each direction; busy dual-carriage way out, cross-country back. High 40s on long motorway hauls with cruise control set at 73. Switch climate control off unless you need it; this makes a noticeable difference to fuel consumption.

[Chris308]

I've done a couple of longer journeys over the last 3 days and reset the mileage / average speed and average mpg.

I covered 625 miles, average speed 47mph and got 42.1mpg (according to the OBC). Will see what the actual mpg for the trip to Exeter was when I fill the tank tomorrow